Aims: 

The work was focused on the study of functional properties of erythrocytes in microcirculation in selected oncologic and metabolic diseases.

Methods: 

Erythrocyte deformability (ED), as a basic criterion of erythrocyte transport properties, haematologic and selected biochemical variables as well as acid-base balance variables were determined. ED was measured by filtration method and studied in two groups of oncologic patients: 15 subjects with carcinoma (CA) of the colon and 17 subjects with CA of the breast. The third examined group consisted of 16 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The control group involved 15 healthy subjects.

Results: 

In oncologic patients ED values were significantly impaired in comparison with the control group. Surgical stress in patients with CA of the colon lowered ED from 65.6 ± 3.2 to 62.0 ± 4.0 (P < 0.05) and following adjustment of ED values was observed in postoperative days. Significant decrease in erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration and increased reticulocyte count was recorded simultaneously. Radiotherapy in patients with CA of the breast resulted in ED decrease by 6.8% after the first week and continued by 9.4% and 8.6% after the third and fourth week of radiotherapy (P < 0.05) and significant decrease of blood elements counts. Membrane active substances (aminoguanidine, pyridoxiliden-aminoguanidine, pyridoxal) demonstrated protective effect on erythrocyte elasticity.

Conclusion: 

Surgical stress lowered ED values in oncologic and in operated non-oncologic patients as well. Cytotoxic effect of radiotherapy on ED was found. Significant deformability improvement was obtained by pyridoxal in diabetic patients (P < 0.05).